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Vertigo

Vertigo is the sensation that either you or your surroundings
are spinning, and is a symptom rather than a disease. This unpleasant feeling
is associated with blurred vision, loss of balance, and nausea

WHAT CAUSES VERTIGO?

The most common cause of vertigo is
benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which results when small crystals
of calcium carbonate settle in the ear canals after head injury or as part of
the aging process. The inner ear may then mistakenly detect

Movement, resulting in the sensation of
vertigo BPPV usually causes short but intense vertigo episodes, which are triggered
by movement of the head.

Vestibular neuritis, or inflammation in
the inner ear, is another cause of vertigo. This balance disorder usually comes
on suddenly and results in constant feelings of vertigo that are often
accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and loss of balance. Sometimes, vestibular
neuritis causes hearing loss, resulting in a condition called labyrinthitis.

Meniere’s disease is a disorder caused
by excessive fluid buildup in the ear. Along with vertigo, this condition
causes ringing in the ears, a feeling of fullness in the ear, and hearing loss.
Meniere’s disease usually only affects one ear, and symptoms generally occur in
“attacks.”

Vertigo may also be caused by a
neurological condition, such as a vestibular migraine or an acoustic neuroma, a
noncancerous growth.

TREATMENTS

The good news is that most symptoms of
vertigo will resolve within a few weeks. However, as vertigo can affect quality
of life, a number of natural methods can

Be used to ease symptoms and promote
faster recovery.

Vestibular rehabilitation

Vestibular rehabilitation involves doing
different exercises and activities to help the brain realize that there is an
issue with balance. This will eventually retrain the brain to compensate for
the deficit in balance, diminishing both the intensity and frequency of the
attacks. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this treatment doesn’t
work immediately. Initially, the exercises may bring on more dizziness, but
will diminish symptoms when regularly practiced over a period of time.

Head manoeuvres

Vestibular rehabilitation completed at
home has been shown to be effective in decreasing vertigo in participants,
regardless of sex and age.

Head man oeuvres in particular are
recommended for individuals with BPPV, because the man oeuvres are designed to
dislodge the tiny crystals in the semicircular>

“Vestibular Rehabilitation Can retrains

The Brain
to Compensate

For Deficit’s IN Balance”

Canals The Epley man oeuvre is
frequently suggested; a 2005 study found that the Epley manoeuvre eased symptoms
in 89 percent of individuals within a month,

compared to improvement in only 10
percent of individuals receiving no treatment.

To perform the epley manoeuvre

> Sit on a bed with your legs extended.

> Move your head to a 45-degree angle, so
you are looking halfway between straight ahead and to the side.

> While maintaining this head position,
lie down quickly so your head is hanging over the side of the bed. This will
usually bring on the sensation of vertigo, and you’ll feel a more intense
feeling on the side of the ear that is most affected.

> Remain lying down until the sensation
passes, and then return to the starting position.

> Begin again once the vertigo has eased.

It is suggested to repeat the movement
on each side three times per day. Your health care practitioner or a physical
therapist specializing in vestibular rehabilitation will be able to show you
how to correctly perform the man oeuvre.

Exercises for vertigo

A 2009 study found that tai chi
significantly improved symptoms of vertigo in patients who had not had success
with traditional vestibular rehabilitation.

It is theorized that tai chi is
beneficial because it helps improve balance and body awareness, aids in
connecting the mind and body and promoting relaxation, and improves
cardiovascular health. For the same reasons, mindfulness-based treatments such as
meditation may also be beneficial in improving vertigo symptoms.

A recent study also found that using the
Nintendo Wii Balance Board, a platform that senses movement to control a video
game character, decreased symptoms.

PRACTICAL TIPS TO EASE VERTIGO

The symptoms of vertigo can make certain
activities, such as shopping and eating out, unpleasant and overwhelming.
However, a number of strategies can be taken to improve vertigo symptoms in
daily life.

> Wear sunglasses to reduce glare and vertigo
caused by bright light.

> use a cane when walking or ask someone
to come with you to ease fears about falling.

> sit or stand across from the person to whom
you are talking to prevent head movements.

> Take time daily to relax.

“Tai chi
significantly improved

Symptoms of
vertigo in patients

Who
had not had success?

With
traditional vestibular

rehabilitation.”

Of vertigo in participants with
vestibular neuritis the suspected reasoning is that, in addition to promoting movement,
using this video game system provides visual feedback that helps the brain to
orientate itself faster.

NUTRITION

Dietary modifications

There is plenty of evidence to suggest
that consuming a diet low in sodium and caffeine helps to ease vertigo symptoms,
especially those caused by Meniere’s disease.

Kim Stinson-Burt, registered dietitian
at Nutritionally Your Best based in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, explains that
“vertigo is caused by fluid fluctuations in the inner ear. If the body is
holding on to extra fluid, which is what happens when one consumes too much salt,
then more fluid is going to be in all areas of the body, including the inner
ear, than is necessary.”

Other ways to maintain fluid balance are
to drink plenty of water and abstain from alcohol. Some individuals also report
that reducing sugar intake helps reduce vertigo symptoms.

In addition, Stinson-Burt says that many
people find ginger helpful, particularly in the form of ginger tea. She also
points out that some individuals find magnesium to be helpful in easing
symptoms.

Magnesium is available in supplement
form as well as in “high-magnesium foods, such as dark chocolate, beans, and
nuts and seeds.”

There has also been some evidence that
suggests Ginkgo biloba improves vertigo symptoms. Contact your health
care practitioner before starting this herbal supplement, however, as it may
interfere with certain medications.